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August 1, 2007 · Bell 206B · N568TD

Broomfield, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Broomfield, CO
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N568TD
Operator
Rotors of the Rockies
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN07LA132

According to the pilot, this was his sixth sightseeing flight of the day. He had just landed and three passengers disembarked. Three other passengers boarded the helicopter. As the pilot brought the throttle to full rpm and increased torque, the helicopter turned left about 15 degrees. Approximately 3 inches of opposite pedal was used to bring the helicopter back to its original heading. The pilot continued to increase torque and as the skids started to come off the ground, the nose pitched up rapidly and the helicopter rolled to the right. The left skid was about 3 inches off the ground during the yaw. The right skid never left the ground. Full forward and left cyclic had no effect. The pilot then lowered collective and tried to roll off the throttle. The helicopter rolled right until the main rotor blades contacted the ground. A piece of main rotor blade struck a nearby hangar. The pilot reported no control anomalies and a subsequent examination revealed no discrepancies. FAA's "Rotorcraft Flying Handbook" (FAA-H-8083-21) defines "dynamic rollover" as "the tendency of a helicopter to continue rolling when the critical angle is exceeded, if one gear is on the ground, and the helicopter is pivoting around that point."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, resulting in an inadvertent dynamic rollover.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 2007, approximately 1635 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B, N268TD, piloted by an airline transport-certificated pilot, was substantially damaged when it yawed to the left and rolled over to the right and struck the helipad while taking off at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Broomfield, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The sightseeing flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers aboard the helicopter received minor injuries. One passenger was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, this was his sixth sightseeing flight of the day. He had just landed and three passengers disembarked. Three other passengers boarded the helicopter. As the pilot brought the throttle to full rpm and increased torque, the helicopter turned left about 15 degrees. Approximately 3 inches of opposite pedal was used to bring the helicopter back to its original heading. The pilot continued to increase torque and as the skids started to come off the ground, the nose pitched up rapidly and the helicopter rolled to the right. The left skid was about 3 inches off the ground during the yaw. The right skid never left the ground. Full forward and left cyclic had no effect. The pilot then lowered collective and tried to roll off the throttle. The helicopter rolled right until the main rotor blades contacted the ground. A piece of main rotor blade struck a nearby hangar. The pilot reported no control anomalies. On August 15, 2007, the helicopter was examined by FAA and Bell Helicopter investigators. They reported finding no anomalies. FAA's "Rotorcraft Flying Handbook" (FAA-H-8083-21) defines "dynamic rollover" as "the tendency of a helicopter to continue rolling when the critical angle is exceeded, if one gear is on the ground, and the helicopter is pivoting around that point." It elaborates: "A helicopter is susceptible to a lateral rolling tendency, called dynamic rollover, when lifting off the surface. For dynamic rollover to occur, some factor has to first cause the helicopter to roll or pivot around a skid...until its critical rollover angle is reached. Then, beyond this point, main rotor thrust continues the roll and recovery is impossible. If the critical rollover angle is exceeded, the helicopter rolls on its side regardless of the cyclic corrections made."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 MDT
Nearest AirportRocky Mountain Metropolitan (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN568TD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRotors of the Rockies
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · 250-620B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data